1)      Today we want to think about the word “about” – another preposition.

a)      This preposition is found in places such as Mt. 18:6.

b)      Jesus said if we cause a “little one to stumble,” it would be better to have a big rock hung “about” our neck.

2)      Imagine having a 500 pound rock tied to our body and being pushed off a boat that is way out at sea.

3)      That rock would instantly and swiftly drop to the bottom of the sea.

a)      Mt. 18:6 reminds us that God will deal in the appropriate way with the wicked.

b)      Heb. 10:31 says it is a “fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

c)      Heb. 10:27 refers to “fiery indignation” that will “devour” God’s “adversaries.”

d)     Mt. 20:20 says the “mother of the sons of Zebedee” came with her sons.

4)      Jesus asked a question – verse 22 – READ

a)       “Cup” represents something.   The word “cup” was a way of describing Jesus’ upcoming death.

5)      Jesus went through a very terrible ordeal.

6)      What should God do if people spurn the Lord and His death?

7)      God has not forgotten what Jesus did.  He is still thinking about that as we meet here today.

8)      Acts 2:23 says Jesus was delivered up by God’s “foreknowledge.”

9)      Before this world was created, heaven knew that Jesus was going to come and die.

10)  Heaven also gave the world the “Lord’s Supper” – a tool to remember Jesus’ death.

a)      Next on our list of references is Mk. 10:23.

b)      Mark says Jesus looked “round about” and made a comment.

11)  Verse 19– READ

a)      Verse 20 tells us the young man had been obedient in these areas.

b)      Jesus said there was only “one thing” this man lacked.

c)      This man was not a hypocrite – he was simply being held back by his desire for money.

d)     When Jesus told this man to sell what he had, the man was sorrowful.  Verse 22 – READ

12)  It was after this that Jesus looked “about” and commented on wealth.

13)  Jesus said this man “lacked one thing.”

14)  His life was really about money—wealth—the things of this earth.

15)  As of today, what is our life really “about”?

16)  Lk. 10:40 says Martha was “cumbered about” with much serving.

a)      Today there is a time and place for domestic responsibilities.

b)      If this is the focus of life, what do we have in eternity?

c)      Lk. 10:42 says Mary– Martha’s sister – had “chosen the good part.”

d)     Mary decided to stay focused on spiritual things for this occasion and Jesus commended her.

e)      Since God does not change, He still commends people who stay focused on the spiritual.

17)  This choice is not always going to be popular.

18)  Acts 2 tells us the majority of people have never been truly interested in doing God’s will.

19)  Jesus warned in Mt. 7 that “few” will be saved.

a)      We can make our life about Him and heaven – seek the first the kingdom – or make life about us.

b)      Some in the first century wanted their lives to be centered on God.

c)      These “went about” preaching the word (Acts 8:4).

20)  Jesus “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38) and teaching, and this must be the way we live.

21)  Some choose to be idle and “go about from house to house” not doing God’s will (1 Tim. 5:13).

22)  We are “compassed about” with a great cloud of witnesses (Heb. 12:1), so we ought to do what is right.

23)  The devil is “walking about” wanting to destroy us (1 Pet. 5:8).

24)  What is our life about?